Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Week: Jason Eckford
JACKSON, Tenn. — Jason Eckford directs the band at North Side High School in Jackson. The Jackson-Central Merry graduate grew up in a musical family. He said his aunt and uncle are both band directors. “I grew up with them,” Eckford said. “He was my middle school band director. She was my high school band director, so it’s all I knew.” Eckford graduated from the University of Tennessee. He started teaching in the Jackson-Madison County School System about seven years ago. This marks his sixth year at North Side. “You get to make music every day,” Eckford said. “You know, you don’t have the stress of having to deal with an English test or a math test. You’re just making music and having fun.” Eckford said his favorite thing about teaching is the students. “You never know how much you grow on them, and to know that my students mean, I mean as much to my students for them to elect me this, it’s just heartwarming,” he said. Eckford teaches more than just music. He said they try to connect lessons in class to lessons in life. “A lot of what we learn in band can transfer almost to anything that you do in your life, so we want to prepare them for when they get out on their own. They’re going to be successful, “ he said. Eckford will be eligible for the statewide Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month Award. To vote for him or any of the other nominees, visit seehowitaddsup.com. To nominate a teacher for the WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News weekly award, email us at educator@wbbjtv.com.
